"It's this child who stayed behind, that's quite unexpected."
In a mysterious space, the Three Goddesses were currently peeking... observing the situation over there.
As the creators of the system, they could naturally consume Zero's PT to restore her, but... firstly, Zero didn't have anything urgent to do, and secondly... are you really going to end such an interesting thing just like that!?
In short, they were watching the scene with amusement... Zero, whose brain was completely stalled, was still lying on the sofa because she hadn't received the command to "get up." She was rhythmically swinging her little feet, not knowing what she was doing, and her eyes were fixed on Special Week in front of her, making Special Week unsure of what she should be doing.
"Z-chan?" Unable to bear it any longer, she finally called out to the other party.
"Huh, eh?" Making an unidentifiable sound, her swirling pupils aimed at Special Week's eyes, staring at each other.
Completely devoid of her usual authority and playfulness, it was Zero's purest voice, soft and adorable.
So cute... Special Week's sinful paw slowly reached towards Zero's small face.
Just a little rub... it's okay to just rub a little, right?
Slower... gentler... she touched it!
Mmm... it's soft, the texture is great!
The expression on her face gradually relaxed, and Special Week's hand slowly became more daring.
Ah, her ears are so big, just like Rice Shower's. They're a little warm, and have a unique texture!
"Mmm, mmm, mmm..." Zero, whose face was being rubbed, let out a slightly displeased sound.
And Special Week, inadvertently, brushed her thumb across Zero's lips.
The touch, even softer than her small face, made Special Week pause for a moment, then her gaze turned to that area.
A small mouth, and... slightly moist lips.
Because of the unrestrained kneading just now, her eyes were a little teary, an expression never seen on Zero's face before.
If you were to ask Special Week when she started liking Zero... she herself wasn't sure.
At first, she thought the Horse Girl Child was her junior, but then she found out the other party was actually the strongest Uma Musume today, which created a complex impression.
She often took care of her, and the food she made was delicious and filling.
Perhaps it was a certain feeling of love at first sight? Just like that day when she first saw Suzuka-san running on the track.
And Zero's first run was that Osaka Hai.
In fact, during training, the other party often ran with her, but that was just training. The other party didn't even use half of her strength, let alone her full strength, yet she experienced a crushing defeat.
At the Osaka Hai, Zero's running was completely different from Suzuka-san's, but equally captivating.
And the true peak was that Tenno Sho.
The aura Zero exuded at that time made everyone in the stands feel terrified, yet at the same time, it carried a subtle gentleness.
But none of that mattered. Her heart at that time was more excited than anyone else's.
This is the top Uma Musume! This was the only thought in her mind.
Admiring the other party's strength, longing to catch up to the other party's back, her initial fondness gradually changed during that race.
Suzuka-san was like that, and Z-chan was like that too, and even further ahead... no, at the peak.
During the celebration banquet after the Arima Kinen last year, Z-chan disappeared for a while. Her explanation when she returned was that she was a little excited and went for a run, but Special Week noticed something was off.
Z-chan's body was trembling, just like... how she was trembling before the race that day.
She must have run an extremely exciting race with someone, right? But who was the opponent?
Finally, because it was too troublesome, Special Week didn't continue thinking about it.
Z-chan must have her reasons for doing this.
But now, Z-chan was completely defenseless, even being held in her hands. No matter what she did, the other party wouldn't resist... Gulp... she swallowed.
What exactly is that act called "kissing" that novels often talk about?
Is it really that wonderful? And the object is the child she likes... When she came back to her senses, their faces were less than a fist apart, and she could feel the other party's breath on her face.
Finally, Special Week made up her mind.
She let go of her hands and lifted Zero by her armpits with both hands.
"Up high!"
Sure enough... not yet!
If she really did that, she might never be able to face Z-chan again.
One day, she would definitely have a taste of that sweetness... when she also became a legendary Uma Musume!
So for now, let's do something a little bolder, something she usually wanted to do but didn't dare to!
"!? !?" The sudden elevation of her perspective made Zero look a little flustered, struggling there in a hurry.
Hehehe... this Z-chan is also so cute!
Looking at the somewhat flustered Zero, Special Week suddenly remembered a game from her childhood.
At that time, her adoptive mother would gently toss her, who was still young, into the air and then catch her. Although it was only a moment of weightlessness, it was really fun!
Should she do it?
But this time, desire still overcame reason. As an Uma Musume, her body was naturally very strong. She gently tossed Zero, who she was holding by the armpits, into the air.
Then the other party suddenly did a somersault and kicked her in the face.
Eh?
"Good, Little Special, good, you did well." When the fallen Special Week got up, clutching her face, a somewhat embarrassed and angry voice came over.
Ah, this... could it be... (horrified)
She looked up to see Zero, whose face was flushed and whose eyes looked like they wanted to devour her.
"Z... Z-chan? When?" A somewhat forced smile hung on her face.
"Just when you lifted me up = ="
Oh no, I'm done... "Oh my? Z-chan? You're already awake... Eek!?" Trainer Okino was about to greet Zero, who had recovered and walked out of the room, but then saw the figure following behind her.
"A... a barbell came to life!?" What met her eyes was a huge floating barbell.
"Trainer... san... it's me..." A trembling voice came from beneath the barbell.
It was Special Week.
"Don't put it down. Carry that barbell and walk with me. You can only put it down after we've completed one lap."
"Eek!?"
"You like to be lifted high, don't you? This time, I'll let you lift to your heart's content!" Zero had an extremely gentle smile on her face, reminding Trainer Okino of the last time she was picked up by the other party from the police station.
"I was wrong, Z-chan!"
"More words are useless. If you can't take it anymore and put it down, your dinner will be cut and super-doubled."
"QAQ"
Of course, this barbell only looked exaggerated; its actual weight was something even Rice Shower could barely lift, let alone Special Week.
However, there was no doubt that this was a triple training session combining strength, endurance, and guts, which was why Special Week was so resistant.
After all, it was genuinely exhausting.
But even so, Zero had no intention of going easy on her.
After waking up and realizing her situation was off, she immediately spent PT to recover herself. Yet, this girl, not content with being lifted, wanted to fly high?
This kid has been overly arrogant lately; today, she definitely needs to learn her lesson!
The others, seeing Special Week's miserable state, could only cast pitying glances.
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